Part 5 (1/2)
1. Order 1. Unity = [Arabic: rabbi l-?alamin] = [Arabic: Allah]
= The Reality[50]
of which both Mind and Matter are different aspects.
2. Continuity 2. Continuity = [Arabic: ra?mani wa r-ra?im] = Force or Energy.
3. Unity 3. Order[60] = [Arabic: maliki yawmi d-din] = Order or Process.
What Sir Edwin Arnold calls the soul of Islam, _i.e._, the Principle of Unity, so patently corresponds with the ultimate results of modern Science and Philosophy, that I need not dwell on it at any great length.
It is sufficient to point out that Science has now proved three Unities, the Unity of _Substance_, the Unity of _Force_, and the Unity of _Process_; and Philosophy has shown that the three Unities resolve themselves into One Infinite Power.[61]
”There is no strength (to avoid } evil) nor ability (to do good) } [Arabic: La hawla wa la quwwata great and supreme.” } ?illa bi-llahi alee-eil a?im.]
_Maxim of Union and Loyalty._
2. How is the Maxim of Union and Loyalty inferred from the principle of Unity? Man, being a creature of G.o.d, should try to be G.o.dly and G.o.dlike, try to imitate G.o.d in actions, try to co-operate with his fellow creatures for the good of all, and should thus attain the ideal: ”Union is Strength.” This is the Islamic doctrine of Atonement[62] (= at-one-ment [Arabic: fana fil-lah]): to be _at one_ with G.o.d by _union_ and _co-operation_ with G.o.d's creatures so far as your and their const.i.tutions and environments allow. But you need not bother yourself with theories at present. It will be enough if you remember that the ultimate aim or the sole object of the Prophet's mission was to establish the universal union and brotherhood of mankind by means of a firm belief in the eternal truth of G.o.d's unity. He preached the Unity of G.o.d and worked all his life for the union of men into a universal Brotherhood.
In order that you should _co-operate_, _i.e._, work together with your fellow-men for the good of all, your work must needs be _co-ordinated_.
It must be guided and directed so that it tallies with the work of others. This guidance and direction comes from your leader, whom you and your fellow-workers must obey, in order to attain the best results.
Co-operation thus implies Co-ordination which requires a leader--Caliph or King--whom you ought to follow loyally. _Loyalty to your leader_ is therefore the gist of co-operation. The Qur'an and the Traditions are full of injunctions for obedience to ”those in authority among you”
[Arabic: ?uli l-?amri mink.u.m][63] ”The surest way of pleasing G.o.d is to obey the King.”
Modern Science teaches exactly the same thing. I have a series of little books in my Library called ”People's Books” published at 6d. each by Messrs. Jack, London. One of them on ”Zoology” is written by Professor MacBride, F.R.S. He traces the development of Man from Protozoa,--little specks of animalculae--and points out how each species of animals has risen higher than another by (i) greater ”inventive capacity”, the capacity of adopting new means to an old end and old means to a new end: and (ii) higher ”tribal morality” implied in co-operation and loyalty to leaders. He says: ”Mankind progresses by the appearance of individuals in whom (besides the inventive genius) the instincts of co-operation and loyalty are more strongly developed”. It is precisely those instincts that Islam fosters by its doctrine of the universal brotherhood of Muslims--a doctrine which implies primarily loyalty to your King. Just as the affairs of a family like yours, consisting of a dozen members, cannot prosper unless each follows loyally the lead of the eldest, or the wisest among you; so the affairs of a nation can never be in a satisfactory condition unless each individual is loyal to his King and country, and co-operates with his Government by willingly doing what is required of him.
Muhammad enjoined [Arabic: utlibul ilm wa lov kaana bis seen] ”Seek knowledge even if thou hast to go for it to China”--(the farthest country known in his days).
Delve gems of Science divine Ev'n unto Cathay's mine.
He said that wisdom was the birthright of every Muslim who should seize it wherever he found it. He thus encouraged the learning of Science and the consequent acquirement of inventive capacity which is biologically as essential for human progress as co-operation and loyalty.
A study of animal life from the lowest animalcule to the highly civilized man, teaches us to know, feel and act, in a particular manner, _viz._,
(_a_) to _know_ our environment, _i.e._, to know the Laws of Nature in order to improve our general capacity for invention, manufacture and commerce, (Knowledge)
(_b_) to _feel_ for our fellow-men in order to increase mutual good-will so necessary for co-operation, (Sympathy)
(_c_) and to _act_ for the general good of our race under the guidance of our political and social leaders, (Loyalty).
”Knowledge, Sympathy and Loyalty” are thus the watchwords of the Science of to-day no less than of the Islam of our ancestors.[64]
+Note 9.+
_Perfection and Self-help._
Allow me to explain here that my object is not to persuade you to believe what I say but only to make you think for yourself. I will therefore avoid arguments and discussions as much as possible and content myself with bare outlines of certain Islamic doctrines and brief references to the corresponding ideas of modern Science. I shall be very pleased if they serve to excite your curiosity and stimulate your thought.
II.